Other

Robert A Muhn

Robert J Loubier

In a dental floss applicator having a capstan controllable by the user for tensioning the floss and for periodically substituting a fresh floss strand segment for a previously used segment, an improved arrangement for severing floss and anchoring a floss strand end to the capstan as a result of a simple continuous movement of the strand by a user is disclosed. The capstan includes a slot for receiving a one piece metallic clip having a deformation so that the floss strand may be gripped between that deformation and one surface of the capstan slot as well as a cutting prong deformed from the general plane of the clip in the same general direction as the floss gripping deformation and presenting a relatively sharp surface to the floss as the floss is pulled into the gripping position between the deformation and slot. The slot is contoured so that a taut strand of floss is prevented from passing around the wrong surface of the clip or from missing the cutting edge, and the tab which forms the cutting edge cooperates with the slot to hold the clip in position in the slot.

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Ft. Wayne, IN, United States of America

Robert A Muhn